Sallaal has been tipped to win the Gr 1 Bahrain International Trophy which will be shown live on South Africa’s live TV streams at 18H35 SA Time on Friday (Picture: Racing TV)
At The Races Tipster Tim Carroll runs through the top-quality field for Friday’s Group 1 feature in Bahrain.
1. CALIF (stall 10)
Jockey: Benoit de la Sayette | Trainer: Fawzi Nass
A well-travelled, Group 1-winning seven-year-old formerly based in Germany with Peter Schiergen and then Carlos and Yann Lerner in France. Now with local handler Fawzi Nass, for whom he won a Listed contest here in February, he goes into this after a lengthy break, though he has won first up in the past, albeit some time ago. He has track experience, which is always helpful, and did finish third in this race two years ago, although he was well held in last year’s edition. His current rating of 106 is the lowest in the field, and he would need to produce his absolute best up against this lot.
2. GALEN (2)
Dylan Browne McMonagle | Joseph O’Brien
Went from the front in this last year when wearing a first-time visor and looked all over the winner before being nabbed late by Royal Champion, who was flying at the time. The five-year-old was put away after two below-par efforts in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong after that but returned in good order earlier in the season, finishing fourth behind Maps Of Stars in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot before making all to win a valuable conditions race at Goodwood. He comes into this having been off for over three months, though he did have a slightly shorter break before last year’s race. Historically winners can come from anywhere and the straight is approximately three furlongs in length, with the home turn sharp in nature, so they may try to nick it again from the low draw.
